Automatically operated jackknife window



May 5, 1953 w. A. BOWMAN AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED JACKKNIFE WINDOW 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 10, 1950 7/ 1 I 59 w W W F/GJ.

o E? 0 INVENTOR. 45 h-a/ WILLIAM A. BOWMAN.

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' ATTORNE).

y 5, 1953 w. A. BOWMAN 2,637,383

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED JACKKNIF'E WINDOW Filed July 10, 1950 4Sheets-Sheet 2 uvmvrox WILL/AM ABOWMAN.

ATTORNEX Patented May 5, 1953 William A; Bowman, Baltimore, Md.

Application July '10, 1950, Serial No. 172,955

3 Claims. .(Cl. 160-488) This invention relates to building equipmentandmore particularly to" mechanism for the mechanical and-automaticoperation of windows usedin various types of structures.

The opening and closing of conventional win-' dows has receivedconsiderable attention; but the results attained have not beensatisfactory. To meetthis situation, this invention has been-developedand used under practical conditions to assureiofits meeting therequirements expected from the. daily. use of suchequipment. Itconsistsof a jack-knife window structure modified in some particulars from thatshown in Patent No. 2.5.13.273-andapplication SerialNo. 81,375,

filed. March=14, 1949 and nowiabandoned, that is operable by motorpower, controlled manually; or by :action of rain or wind. Part of thecontrol isa'utomatic while. the other parts are influencedby'the-:manipulation of the userto suit himself. as; circumstances mayrequire. 1

It-is an object iofthisinvention toprovide. a new and improved. windowand voperating mechanism that will avoidone or more'of thedisadvantagesand limitations of the; prior art.

Another object ottheainvention is to provide anew andimprovedwindow-operating mechanism that willhave'features ofmechanicalcleaning;v .closing when it rains or thevvind becomes excessive;.. andopening-and closing. under the actionof a motor.

A further object of this invention is to provide a. newand improvedwindow operating mechanism, that can operate a jack-knife window in apositive and effective manner, throughthe use of motor mechanism. undervthe control of. an, p rator.

It is a. further object of this invention'to provide a new and improvedwindow. operating mechanism that will seal the window in locked positionagainst air leakage and make same burglar proof :It is a iurtherobjectofwthis invention to'provide. a new and-improved jack knife window, thatcan he raised or lowered manually "or mechanically to predeterminedpositions and retain same in-said'positions.

fit is afurther obj ect-of this invention to provide anew and'improved-window having a "device -for automatically closing the window throughthe'action of-rain' or excessive wind storms.

"Itis a" further object of thisinvention to pro vide a new-and improvedjack-knife window with means cooperating with the screws operatingin onedirection to align-the window units with each" other and 'whentherotation of the screws are reversed to move the units out of alignment.

Other objects of the invention will be indioatedas the invention is morefully described. For a clearer comprehension of the invention, itsobjects principles and mode of *operatiomreference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which in conjunction with the followingdescription illustrate a particular form of structure; as

an example, not as a limitation." Theclaims show-the-scope of theinvention.

' Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevatiorfiof a=window-unit embodying thisinvention;

Figure 2--is an inside elevation of' Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view *of' theunit'with its window shown partlyopened injects-knife fashion;

Figure 4 is a sectionalview'taken transversely across the window online- 4-4 of Figural;

Figure 5 isv a sectional elevationon line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional elevationtransversely viewed-on line 6-6 ofFigure 5;

Figure 6A is a detail showing the-hingenonnection'between thewindowsashes;

Figure 7, is a detail of the 1Sl30ITm'-S8.ShCatCh used in thisembodiment;

Figure 8 is a sectionon line t- -aoi' Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the talon mechanism;

Figure 10 is a side view of Figure9;

Figure '11. is asectional plan viewonlinel I-:-l l of Figure 1;

Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectionalviewnof line 12-42 of Figure 11;and

Figure 13 is a transverse-sectional view on'zline l3-l 3v of Figure 12.

Similar referencecharacters refer-to the-same parts throughout thedrawings.

.For a better.-understanding of the; invention and the objects thereof,attention is-called: to the drawings, in which a particular structure:ofthe invention is illustrated. In conjunotionwith-zthe followingdescription, these drawings outline the .features of the device, whilethe claims indicate the scope of the invention.

The structure. in the drawings indicate. a window embodying theinvention and has .thegeneral appearance. of. a conventional window-sashframe, with av sill underneath. However, the frame, iswmade ofchannels Jt, .I l2;,- and J3: for the upper crossframe, the .left and right. sideframe member and ithe vsill' respectively. The upperframe membervorchannel illis .boxedrin and contains. the mechanism .for controlling theflow of'the sash cleaning liquid sprayer as well aeszsse as that for therain and wind sash closer. The left side channel II is also boxed in andcontains an operating screw I4 connected with lower window sash I5, forraising and lowering it in jack-knife fashion, outwardly from the windowframe. The right hand channel I2 is also boxed in and contains the screwdrive I6 the miter gear 89 and long shaft I'I driving them.

The sill channel I3 is also boxed in and contains the main operatingmotor I8, its shaft I9 and the gear 2! all connected together. A clutch20, operated by a solenoid 22 connects and disconnects the shaft I 9,from the stub shaft 23. The stub shaft 23 has a miter gear 24 keyed toit and meshed into the adjacent miter gear 90 mounted on the shaft I I.The details of these mechanisms will be enlarged upon as the descriptionis proceeded with.

The principal functions of the window embodying this invention are:

(A) Operation.-Including open and closing actions of the window sashes,in jack-knife manner;

(B) Washing.The use of cleaning liquid on the glass and its removal withthe accumulated dirt by a mechanically operated squeegee mechanism whenit rains or high winds prevail;

(C) Wind and rain conirol.An arrangement for operating the window sashesand closing them when the outside wind and rain become excessive;

(D) Weatherstripping.An arrangement provided for sealing the window raintight and render it burglar proof when closed;

(E) Incidental refinements.To provide for an effective closure of thesashes, so that detrimental conditions arising from exterior oraccidental influences will be anticipated and offset.

The diagram in Figure 14 indicates the electrical connections utilizedfor producing these functions and will be explained later.

Main operating mechanism The main operating mechanism of this device isemployed in the opening and closing of the window sashes in jack knifefashion. In Figure 12, the mechanism is shown located in the sillchannel or compartment I3. When the motor I 8, Fig, 6, is running, itrotates its shaft I9 and the clutch 2B keyed to it. The gear 2| isloosely mounted on the shaft l9 and is rotated when engaged by theclutch 20 and rotates the gear 25 and shaft 29, which also operatesmiter gears 28. The miter gears 28 mesh with miter gears 3|, which inturn rotate the vertical screws I4 and IS on the left and right sides ofthe window sashes I5, 33. The various shafts are suitably journalled inthe window frame. The screws I4 and I6 have'their end portions extendedinto cylindrical rubber rollers 30 which they rotate on their axeswithin the walls 32 provided in the channels II, I2, to frictionallycontact the window sashes. The rollers 30 frictionally rub against theside faces or edges of the sash frames when the sashes I5, and 33 areclosed by the screws I4 and I6 to complete the window closure againstthe surrounding channels. The rollers 30, do this when the screws arerotating in the direction adapted for forcin the sashes into closedposition. If the rollers and screws are turned axially in the reversedirection while holding their axial positions, they will rub on the sashand open the sashes from their vertical dead-center closed positiontowards the jack-knife opening position, as long as they can roll andfrictionally rub the side surfaces of the sash frames. Thu; it may.channels H and I2, respectively, Fig. 5.

be noted, that the initial opening movement of the window is easilyaccomplished and avoids difficulties of the pair of sashes looking ondeadcenter, which the sashes are on when closed. This is due to therubbing and lateral propelling action of the rollers against the sashframes, which are preferably knurled,

The window operating mechanism extends through the lower sash bar 35 andis reciprocable from the middle outwardly. It consists of two rods 36having talons or forked outer ends 38. A collar 39 is rigidly secured oneach of the inner end portions of the rods, against which a coil spring31 presses tending to spread them apart. When they are spread apart theforked ends 38 engage with the root of the threads of screws I4 and I6and they are raised or lowered as the screws rotate. The rods 36, whichcarry the talons 38, being positioned in the bar 35 raise the latter andsashes i5 and 33 with them. When the lower sash I5 is lifted, it movesoutwardly in jack-knife fashion and since it is hinged on the upper sash33, it also moves the latter angularly outwards on the hinges 40 thatsupport it on When the window sashes are fully extended or open, theytrip a limit switch (not shown) and stop the motor I8. Likewise a limitswitch (not shown) opens the circuit when the sashes are closed.

The talons 38 have a form like a fork bent to engage against the threadsof the screws I4 and I 6 and move with the latter when the screws arerotated. The mechanism 34 i operated to disegage the talons 38 from thescrews l4 and I6 when a spreader mechanism 43 is used. The mechanism 43includes a cam member 44 rotated by a handle 45 mounted on a plate 46from which it extends. The plate and handle are set on the inside orrear face of the sill channel frame I3 where they can be reached by theuser of the window from inside the structure. When the cam member 44 isrotated sufficiently, it strikes the projecting bases 41 of a pair ofbifurcated elements or jaws 48 and swings them on pins 49 so they willpress against the collars 39 and pull the rods 36 and talons 38 awayfrom and out of engagement with the screws I4 and I6. When this happensthe window sashes if opened, will come down to a closed position, byreason of the weight of the sashes. This is used for quick or manualopening or closure of the window.

For a normal closure of the window, the motor I8, is thrown into theelectrical circuit in reverse so the screws will rotate in the oppositedirection to that mentioned for opening the window. The screws l4 and I6turn and through the talons 38 and mechanism 34 lower the sash,relatively slowly.

Wind and rain operation The sash operating mechanism will alsooperate tolower the window when a wind and rain switch 50 throws the motor I8,into circuit. The mechanism is simply a vane 5| extending outwardly fromthe upper channel I0 and delicately suspended on a spindle 52, thatpermits it movement laterally to contact an electrical conductor (notshown) and when it does so, connects up the motorwith the electricalcircuit so it will close the sashes as already described. The same vanealso is operated by rain, snow or hail ,in a similar manner by tiltingthe spindle. The vane 5| is preferably cupped to facilitate the catchingof the rain thereon so its weight may be increased sufficiently to closethe circuit. J

. asap ass.)

quantities to flood and ol'ean it off. The'stream" of water continues'"until it flows down oven Ithe outer 'win'dow' glas's' of the flower sash125. -The contror of the" water" supply :is provided-I for by using asmall: electricmotor -(=not" shown') icunv which a conventional tinting:F'ge'arf-mechanismz is' attached. This hinin arrangement allows thewatertoflow for aperiod er three xminutesand stops the fl'ow; by closingthe' solenoid operated valve 55. when tne' water'supplyi' is "turnedion.

the squeegee and its operating mechanism is also started through themovement of the clutch 20 so the motor I8, willrotate "thestubshaftrMand the miter gears and screw threaded shafts 9| and 94"througli sha'ft"IIfmit'er'gears 89 and 92 and jack shaft 93 supported in and co''axia'l" with the trunnions och-inges '49. 3 The lower e'nd ofthe shaft9I-isfitted with a miter-gear 95 that meshes with a miter gear 98 todrive a shaft 91 and its miter gear 98 and miter gear 99 connected tothreaded shaft 94. The shaft I03 is driven from shaft 91 through spurgears I02 and through miter gears I04 rotates the screw threaded shaftsI09 and IOI, raise and lower the crossmember 59. This is done throughthe threaded portions of the cross-member following the rotation of thethreaded portions of the shafts 9i, 94, I90 and IGI. Each of thecross-members 59 carries a rubber strip BI that presses against theoutside surfaces of their respective window glass and cleans them 01f,while moving up and down thereon.

The motor I8 rotates in one direction to raise the squeegees and isreversed to lower them. This is accomplished through the action of aratchet relay and its switches at the end of each travel stroke. Thesqueegees continue their up and down travel until turned off by a switch(not shown).

Weather stripping The weather stripping or seal arrangement is mainlyprovided for by closing the cracks left between the sides of the sashesand the window frames. The sashes to operate efiiciently andeffectively, must have enough clearance to operate easily. When closedthe extra room provided must be shut off to prevent drafts and burglarsfrom opening window from outside and other objectionable reactions totake place. To accomplish this, a pair of vertical 90 semi-circularweather strip or seals I52 are journalled in the upper and lowerchannels II) and I3 so they can rotate on their axes towards the face ofthe sash frames and lap over the cracks mentioned. If rotated 90 in theopposite direction, they revolve out of the way of the sash framesandavoid obstructing its opening and closing movements while jack-knifing.The weather strips or seals are actuated by a solenoid 63 which operatesan arm I95 connected to another arm I96 pivoted at H5. The arm I93connects and operates links I9? and I98 connected for 'manual operation.The movement of the disc I09 also moves the rack gears I II and throughgears I I2 operate the shafts M3 for rotating the seals 62. The handleinkling water over I1 Ill-projects.through ajslot. I] 8. Thc.-..window 1opening and closing. screw I4 is preferably made with lefthand'threadsand-screw .I 6 made with right hand threads. The squeegee operatingscrews BI, 94,. IIlfland IDL. are .madewith right and left handthreadsas. notedin Figure dot the drawings.

.- When .it is desired to raise the window; a conventional switch closesthe circuit tethesolenoid 63which rotatesthe seals Blandnnlocks thewindow and at the .same time startsthe motor I8.which raises the window.When itis desired to lower the windowvtheswitch .is moved toanotherpositionand reversesthe motor 18 and closes the window.

Structural features The window has a number of conspicuous structur'al'features in addition to.".those already .referred to. The sashes I5,and-'33, are brought closely together by hinging them fat'IIl3, Fig. 6awherethey joinv and rounding their contacting surfaces 65, 93 sothey canmove'through their jack-knife motions without binding or producing anopen crack therebetween.' "The hinging Mucousists of a hingle plate I 25at each side of the sashes I5 and 33 in the neighborhoodv of the contactsurfaces 65, 69. Each 'plate'l'25 is secured by screws I26 to the lowerportion of the side of sash 33 and extends downwardly to a point belowthe upper edge of sash I5. The plate has an opening near its lower endto receive the end of shaft I03 therein and act as a bearing therefor.Thus, when the window jackknifes, the end of shaft I03 acts as a pivotfor the opening and folding movements of the sashes. Similarly the upperbar 9'! of the upper sash 33 is rounded where the contact surfaces 68,69 meet. Further the joint is covered by a flared strip I0 extendingacross the window above the upper sash 33.

The sashes I5 and 33 are arranged for the use of storm sashes II, I2therein respectively. The latter are glazed in rectangular frames I3, I4that are flanged to fitflush in the sashes I5 and 33, and be heldtherein by catches I5.

The squeegees are guided in grooves It in the vertical sides of thesashes I5 and 33 and after use always return to the lower bars of thesashes and remain there.

An electrical control box not shown houses the necessary relays, some ofthe switches, water control motor and other controls not located in thewindow base as it is not necessary to house these units since they maybe located in the base or other portions. A conduit III) is used tocarry the control wires through the frame. Bearings (not shown) areattached to the upper ends of the screws I4 and I6 and are tensioned toforce the rollers 30 outwardly against the side of the sash and'allowfor wear in the rollers, so they may be frictionally tight for kickingthe sash at its joint outwardly off dead-center when opening the windowand for drawing the joint back on dead center when closing the window sothe seals 92 may snap back to lock the windows. While but one generalform of the invention is shown in the drawings and described in thespecifications, it is not desired to limit this application for patentto this particular form, as it is appreciated that other forms ofconstruction could be made that would use the same principles and comewithin the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In combination with a window frame, a

pair of vertically aligned sashes, hinging means between said sashesalong their horizontal meeting edges, hinging means between the uppersash and the frame, means for initiating opening movement of the sashesout of vertical alignment consisting of a vertical screw carried by theframe, a roller carried by said screw and pressing against the verticaledge of the upper sash, means for rotating the screw, means cooperatingwith the initiating means consisting of a slidable element carried bythe lower sash, said element having a forked end engageable with theroot of the threads of the said screw, whereby said element will moveupwardly and downwardly with the rotation of the screw, forcing outwardand inward movements of the sashes about their common hinging means, andmeans for controlling the engagement and disengagement of said elementwith said screw.

2. In combination with a window frame, a

ing against the vertical edge of the upper sash, means for rotating thescrew, and means to complete opening movement of the sashes.

3. In combination with a window frame, a pair of vertically alignedsashes, hinging means between said sashes along their horizontal meetingedges, hinging means between the upper sashv and the window frame,motor-operated means for initiating opening movement of the sashes outof vertical alignment, said last-named means including a vertical screwcarried by the frame, a roller carried by said screw and pressingagainst the vertical edge of the upper sash, connecting means betweenthe motor and the screw, and additional means cooperating with theaforementioned means to complete opening movement of the sashes, saidadditional means including an element carried by the lower sash andengageable with the screw and translatable thereby.

WILLIAM A. BOWMAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,198,733 Lovell Sept. 19, 1916 2,408,739 Dawes Oct. 8, 1946v

